Wurkkos FC11 2700K Flashlight Review

The Wurkkos FC11 2700K 18650 Flashlight is somewhat well covered by reviews lately, but I was intrigued enough by this light to convince Wurkkos to send one for review.  I was particularly interested in the 2700K version, and that’s what they sent.  Read on for some thoughts and testing!

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Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Amazon product page.

Versions

I believe there’s only one body for the FC11.  But I know of at least two emitter temperature options:  2700K and 4000K.  I think there may also be a 5000K, but I’m less certain on that.

Price

Looks like the current price is $29.97 on amazon.  (referral link here).

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Short Review of the Wurkkos FC11 2700K 18650 Flashlight

This light is definitely worth $30, and I recommend you buy one!

Wurkkos FC11 2700K 18650 Flashlight Long Review

The Big Table

Wurkkos FC11 2700K 18650 Flashlight
Emitter:	Samsung LH351d (2700K, 90CRI)
Price in USD at publication time:	$29.97 at Amazon (referral link)
Cell:	1×18650 (included)
Turbo Runtime Graph	High Runtime Graph
LVP?	Switch warning
Switch Type:	E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA):	1.46
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	USB-C
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port	with cell: one mode without cell: one mode
Claimed Lumens (lm)	1300
Measured Lumens (at 30s)	766 (58.9% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen	7.8
Claimed Throw (m)	144
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	173lux @ 5.248m = 4765cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	138.1 (95.9% of claim)^
All my Wurkkos reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

• Wurkkos FC11 2700K 18650 Flashlight
• Wurkkos 3000mAh 18650
• Charge cable (USB to USB-C)
• Lanyard
• Spare o-rings (2)
• Manual etc

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

I would describe the build quality of this inexpensive light as “good” or even “very good.”

It’s maybe twice the price of something like a Convoy S2+, and the build quality is definitely much better.

The standout for me is that this one is available as 2700K 90CRI, which is great.

The body doesn’t have knurling but does have rings for grip.  They don’t do a whole lot to aid in holding, though.

The tailcap has an appropriate grip, however, which aids in removal.

On the head are shallow cooling fins.

A press-in charge port cover keeps the USB-C charge port safe from debris and water.

Threads on the FC11 are square-cut, moderately long, and lightly (if at all) lubed.

While the pocket clip can install in only one end, the cell tube is actually reversible – threading is the same on both ends.

A magnet is in the tailcap, and this magnet is adequate strength for holding even in a horizontal position.

Both head and tail have big beefy springs, and if you notice carefully on the head end, there’s a “+” for cell direction.

Size and Comps

Officially the size is:

116.23mm x 27mm, and 65g (without cell).

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo).  If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll show that here, too (usually the fourth photo).

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+.  Mine’s a custom “baked” edition Nichia 219b triple.  A very nice 18650 light.

And here’s the light beside my custom engraved TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light.  I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats.

This image below is just all in fun – the cell tube is completely gone here.  But wouldn’t this be a fun little light!  (Shorter than an 18350 version, though.)

Retention and Carry

Mainly the FC11 will be carried using the included friction fit pocket clip, which installs on the tail end.  This means bezel down carry is the default.

It’s a friction fit clip, like I said, so…. clip hug!

But the cell tube is reversible, so if you wish to have bezel up carry, then just flip the cell tube.  The balance will be a little off, but it works.  The location of the clip on the body with “bezel up” carry would make this a reasonable hatlight solution.

Another option for retaining the FC11 is the included lanyard, which attaches through this hole in the tailcap.  There are also places on the pocket clip to attach the lanyard, but as it’s a friction fit clip, I’d recommend sticking with the hole in the tailcap.

Finally, we have the tailcap magnet, which holds the FC11 quite securely on the right base.

Power and Runtime

The voltage range for the FC11 is 2.7V-4.2V, so that means it runs on a single lithium-ion cell.  Included with the purchase of the Wurkkos FC11 is a 3000mAh 18650.

This cell is a button top and appears standard in every way.

Since the FC11 has springs on the head and tail, there’s nothing preventing usage of any type 18650.  Flat top, button top, protected, unprotected – they all should work fine.

Cell installation is normal – positive end toward the head.  You can remove the tailcap or the head to install the cell.

Provided below are a few runtimes.  The claim of 1300 lumens is almost certainly for the 4000K version.  It doesn’t seem that Wurkkos provided specs for this very warm and higher CRI edition.  Both of those factors will mean that we can expect the output to be less, and that’s what we see in fact.  I have a bigger issue with not speccing the 2700K option, than for “being wrong” or “misleading” necessarily.

Both Turbo and High have a big stepdown after a minute or two, and then the output just trails off.  At around 2.9V or so, the switch begins to warn of low voltage.

When the light is turned on, the indicating switch will light momentarily to advise of cell voltage, as follows:
Green:  Power >30%
Red: Power <30%
Red Flashing: Recharge cell as soon as possible

Charging

A USB-C port is used for charging, and it’s on the head and opposite the switch.

A press-in cover protects the port.  The cover is really quite nice.

Wurkkos provides a USB to USB-C cable, too.

Charging looks pretty good if a little slow at around 1A. The time required is over 4 hours, and termination voltage is a little low at around 4.15V.

Modes and Currents

Mode	Mode Claimed Output (lm)	Claimed Runtime	Measured Lumens	Tailcap Amps
Turbo	1300	1h20m	766	4.36
High	700	2h45m	452	1.72
Mid	300	9h	177	0.62
Low	50	45h	35	0.15
Eco	2	275h	~	0.01

Pulse Width Modulation

All the lower modes and I think even Turbo utilizes pulse width modulation.  It’s fast, and I don’t notice it, though.

Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor.

Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.

User Interface and Operation

A single switch is used to control the FC11.  It’s an e-switch in the head of the light, and has indicating emitters under the translucent black cover.

Texture is one way to differentiate the switch from the charge port cover, but also the charge port cover has more of a rounded (off the body) feel, while the switch feels flatter.

Below, the switch is indicating green.

There are two mode groups on the FC11.  The default is stepped, which has five output levels, and no ramping.  The second utilizes ramping.

Here’s a UI table for Group 1!

State	Action	Result
Off	Hold	Eco
Off	Click	On (Mode Memory)
Off	Double Click	Turbo
On	Click	Off (Except in Turbo)
On	Hold	Mode Cycle (Eco>Low>Mid>High)
Turbo	Click	Previous Mode
Off	Hold 3s	Switch to Group 2
Off	Click 4x	Lockout – main emitter will still respond by blinking quickly twice on click
Lockout	Click 4x	Unlock to previous mode.
Any	Click 3x	Strobe
Strobe	Click	Return to previous mode.

Here’s a UI table for Group 2!

State	Action	Result
Off	Hold	Eco
Off	Click	On (Mode Memory)
Off	Double Click	Turbo
On	Click	Off (Except in Turbo)
On	Hold	Ramp to highest output^
Turbo	Click	Previous Mode
Off	Hold 3s	Switch to Group 1
Off	Click 4x	Lockout – main emitter will still respond by blinking quickly twice on click
Lockout	Click 4x	Unlock to previous mode.
Any	Click 3x	Strobe
Strobe	Click	Return to previous mode.

^ Ramp can sort of do multiple things, depending.  The first ramp after the light is turned on will always be upward (unless you start in Turbo by double-clicking from off.)  And ramp will most often be “up” unless you hold the switch again within around 2 seconds of ramping up, and then the ramp will be down.

LED and Beam

Wurkkos uses a Samsung LH351d in the FC11.  In this case it’s a 2700K emitter, which means it’s warm white (WW), or “very warm.”

I consider “very warm” lights to be fantastic for around the house at night lights.  Lights that won’t be abrasive, and potentially disturb sleepers with their coolness.  The 2700K of this light is perfect in that regard.  Also the high CRI (or “higher” CRI at 90) is great for this purpose, too.

These beamshots always have the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Conclusion

What I like

• 2700K is just great.
• Also a high CRI emitter
• Complete package for under $30 is a deal
• Ramping UI option for those who like that
• USB-C charging is forward-thinking

What I don’t like

• The pocket clip is not fantastic
• Charging is a little slow

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Notes

• This light was provided by Wurkkos for review. I was not paid to write this review.
• This content originally appeared at zeroair.org.  Please visit there for the best experience!
• For flashlight-related patches, stickers, and gear, head over to PhotonPhreaks.com!
• Please use my amazon.com referral link to help support zeroair.org!